Concealed Carry Holsters For Women

If you believe that only men should be able to own firearms, you need to reconsider. There are numerous justifications for women to use their right to possess arms. These recent goods include light-weight styles that tightly conform to the body for a secure fit while staying discrete and simple to wear. Many are made of materials that won’t easily tear or sustain other types of harm, such nylon and polyester. Others have sturdy, long-lasting metal components and huge belts that can hold a variety of firearms. Others come with quick-release mechanisms that let the user go from a sitting to a standing position without putting their pistol down.

This article will discuss the factors to consider when selecting the finest concealed carry holster for women and will examine some of the top models on the market.

What To Consider When Choosing The Greatest Concealed Carry Holsters For Women

There are several factors to take into account when purchasing a new concealed carry holster. The greatest concealing holster for your needs depends on the kind of gun you want to carry, how much force you want the holster to be able to withstand, and where you want to carry it.

Intended Use

What kind of use will my CCW holster get is the first thing you should consider. Will I frequently be carrying a gun? If so, a holster that is less in weight and won’t interfere with my draw could be more appropriate. However, a heavier duty holster with a powerful retention mechanism could be more suited if I only require a CCW for self-defense in an emergency.

Next, consider the location where you will carry the gun. You might like a crossdraw or a drop-free design if you are planning to transport it in a car. You can draw from the hip with a crossdraw holster, and a drop-free holster stops the gun from slipping out when you move quickly.

Material

A concealing holster can be made from one of five basic materials:

• Kydex – The thermoplastic material called just as Kydex usually comes to mind when the majority of people hear the term “gun holster.” Due to its versatility and ability to conform to the curve of your gun, this material is one of the most popular choices holster manufacturers make.
• Injection Molded Plastic – Injection molded holsters may be mass produced in huge quantities at lower costs than Kydex, which enables them to pass along savings to you, the end user. Kydex is formed one at a time utilizing sheets of material, one at a time. The process involves pouring molten plastic into a mold (made for the specific gun you own) and letting it dry until it takes the form of your gun holster. If you want to use some of these, keep in mind that some of them have been known to damage a gun’s finish.
• Leather – Since many years ago, leather has been a traditional material for pistol holsters. It is tried and true, and the expert leather workers in this industry can create beautiful works of art. Leather can be utilized in several areas of the holster, either only as the backing of a hybrid holster or to actually grip the gun.
• Nylon – Market suppliers offer a wide variety of nylon holsters. While some simply use the nylon, others use a foam filling that makes them stiffer. Some people even add a Kydex casing inside to provide stiffness and trigger safety.
• Neoprene – According to some businesses, wearing bare leather against the skin was about as comfortable as wearing a fry pan. So they devised a method of using neoprene’s plushness to enhance comfort. But I do want to point out that leather will ultimately become comfy if you give it enough time.

Comfort

Finding the ideal fit for you comes next once you have chosen a holster of high quality from a respected manufacturer. Your preference for carrying a gun will determine how and where you carry it. For this reason, I attempt to look for holsters with rounded edges close to the muzzle end and near any corners that will be jutting inward into my body. The corner that is cutting into you and generating a hotspot can be covered with a foam pad or a Dr. Scholls shoe insert that has been cut to fit if the holster you choose doesn’t already have one built in.

Retention Mechanism

If the concealing holster is effective, the user shouldn’t be able to pull their gun unless they truly want to. After all, it wouldn’t be very hidden if someone could simply reach inside your jacket and pull out your gun. Most concealed holsters have a powerful retention mechanism to stop this from happening. The gun is kept in the holster even during intensive action thanks to this system. A safety catch, a button, a slider, a latch, a combination of latches and buttons, and even magnets are examples of such mechanisms.

Rigidity

Any holster’s rigidity (its capacity to resist collapsing inwards when the gun is drawn or if something heavy were to be pressed into the holster accidentally triggering the trigger), is its most crucial component. The former is particularly crucial because if the holster flexes when you insert a loaded firearm into it, there is a chance that the trigger may become tangled up on the edge and discharge carelessly.

Size and Shape

Size and shape should be considered next. Concealment holsters exist in various sizes to fit various types of firearms, and depending on the design, they may also vary in shape.

• Smaller holsters made for this particular firearm, such as the.380 ACP, typically accommodate small-frame handguns.
• Standard-size pistols, such as the 9mm Luger, can be carried in holsters designed for bigger firearms.
• Rifles and shotguns normally need a holster designed expressly for the weapon.

Also, decide if you prefer a drop-free holster or a crossdraw.

• Crossdraw holsters are frequently used with handguns but can also be used with long guns.
• When making a quick movement, drop-free holsters stop the gun from falling out of the holster.

Types Of Concealed Carry Holsters

When it comes to holsters for concealed carry, there are numerous options available. While spending a lot of money on a high-quality option isn’t necessary, you should make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular concealed carry holster types and how they function before you go shopping.

Outside-the-waistband

Outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters are normally worn in an open manner while performing official duties, however they are occasionally used for concealed carry. Since your gun and holster aren’t in contact with your body, the main advantage of OWB carry is comfort. The drawback is that even if you bend down or raise your arms, you will still need a cover garment long enough to cover the entire bottom of the gun and holster.

Inside-the-waistband

The most popular way of concealed carry is an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster. Because it is worn between your pants and your body, naturally concealing the gun under your regular clothing, it has the advantage of making concealing a handgun more easier than an OWB holster. To accommodate the more constrained position, there is less variation in holster type, which does trade off some degree of comfort.

IWB holsters are usually worn in the four or five o’clock position, however due to how rapid your draw stroke can become with some experience, carrying in the front over your appendix (also known as appendix carry) or directly on the centerline of your body is starting to become more popular. Another position that is no longer popular is small-of-the-back carrying, which is usually discouraged since you run the risk of suffering a serious back injury if you fall and land on the gun or have even a minor vehicle accident.

Shoulder holsters

For some ladies, shoulder holsters are the perfect choice due to their body types or the fact that they frequently intend to wear dresses. Shoulder holsters still exist and are utilized by both concealed carriers and undercover agents, despite being somewhat less widespread in the law enforcement world than they previously were. For smaller guns, muzzle-down holsters are frequently favored, whereas muzzle-down holsters can be used to cover longer weapons.

The first thing to keep in mind when wearing a shoulder holster is that you’ll need to wear a cover garment to hide your gun, such as a jacket or loose-fitting shirt. Second, wearing a button-up shirt all the way closed won’t help you at all because you’ll also need to be able to quickly reach your pistol through the front of your clothing. Finally, when drawing from a shoulder holster, muzzle control is particularly crucial because any wide sweeps will endanger everyone in the arc of your arm. Here, keeping the muzzle pointed safely while sketching becomes second nature with practice.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

Numerous manufacturers provide what seems like a limitless variety of concealable holsters. However, many women are ignored by holster manufacturers who appear to believe that everyone who carries is a man with a plaid shirt and baggy cargo pants. In order to determine the best holsters for women, feedback from other women who carry frequently, online resources, and lessons learned over time as a holder of a concealed carry license were taken into consideration. There were just a few holsters available that were made of a sturdy material that fully encased the trigger guard.

Because we don’t want any foreign objects poking into the trigger guard and accidentally activating the trigger, nylon holsters and the majority of leather holsters did not make it into our top picks. Budget was also taken into consideration, and the majority of holsters were within the $85-$100 price range, with a few exceptions for people who might require more specialized solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concealed Carry Holsters For Women

Which holster is ideal for women?

There are now female-specific IWB holsters available. One of the greatest holster designs for ladies, they are smaller and slimmer without losing safety or comfort.

What is the price range for concealed carry holsters?

Most manufacturers offer their goods in a range of finishes, with costs ranging from $150 to over $500. While nylon choices start at about $200, leather holsters can easily cost $500 or more.

What is the most comfortable way to conceal carry?

The initial method of carrying a pistol was outside the waistband (OWB), which is how it is still done today. This is by far the most comfortable carry technique as the pistol is no longer between you and your clothing.

Can I carry a concealed weapon while wearing a dress shirt?

Yes, but to avoid mistakenly firing your gun while wearing a dress shirt, you should develop some kind of situational awareness. In case you ever need to use your firearm for self-defense, be sure to always store it safely while not in use. That said, since it will stick out like a sore thumb, I wouldn’t advise bringing your dress shirt to work every day. Instead, wear more laid-back outfits like polo shirts, button-downs, or occasionally even classy dress shirts. Just keep in mind to store your gun safely when not in use, and to keep it locked away from ammunition and always unloaded.

What is the safest concealed carry position?

Because it conceals your pistol the most without many drawbacks, inside the waistband is frequently cited as one of the greatest concealed carry locations. For a natural draw, most gun owners typically carry their weapons on their strong sides while wearing them within the waistline.